The winners of this year’s Ledbury Young Poets competition will be announced by the Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

Ledbury Poetry has this week launched the annual competition, which invites children aged five to 18 to write poetry prompted by the theme ‘Earthwords’.

The theme has been chosen to celebrate and reflect on the precious environment of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

The competition is open to anyone living in the three counties and entries will be divided into two groups - primary and secondary education ages (5-11 and 12-18).

READ MORE: Ledbury Poetry competition winners announced

The competition is open from February 27 to April 28. Poems can be entered online at www.ledburypoetry.org.uk.

The competition will be judged by senior librarians from Herefordshire Libraries and by Chloe Garner, the director of Ledbury Poetry.

Joseph Coelho, the Children’s Laureate, will announce the winners on July 1, during Ledbury Poetry Festival.

As part of a partnership with Herefordshire Libraries, there will be opportunities to join poetry writing workshops in the Easter Holidays across the county, and check out books for inspiration via special ‘Earthwords’ book displays. 

Jan Nesaratnam, senior librarian at Herefordshire Libraries, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Ledbury Poetry on this competition and look forward to seeing all the entries.”

Chloe Garner, director of Ledbury Poetry, said: “Words have power. Use them to open the ‘eyes of my eyes’ with your poem!

“I can’t wait to read them and I look forward to hearing the winners perform with Joseph Coelho at Ledbury Poetry Festival.”

The top 10 poets will be invited to perform their work at Ledbury Poetry Festival on July 1. Joseph Coelho, will award certificates to the winners live at the event.

For more information about Ledbury Young Poets Competition visit www.ledburypoetry.org.uk.

Ledbury Poetry Festival takes place June 30 to July 9 and the full line-up is due to be announced in April.